US20130065157A1 - End plate for fuel cell including sandwich insert - Google Patents
End plate for fuel cell including sandwich insert Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130065157A1 US20130065157A1 US13/312,543 US201113312543A US2013065157A1 US 20130065157 A1 US20130065157 A1 US 20130065157A1 US 201113312543 A US201113312543 A US 201113312543A US 2013065157 A1 US2013065157 A1 US 2013065157A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- insert
- end plate
- sandwich
- plates
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- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000012778 molding material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000003575 carbonaceous material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 abstract description 24
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- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 4
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- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 2
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000498 cooling water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000012209 glucono delta-lactone Nutrition 0.000 description 2
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- 239000003562 lightweight material Substances 0.000 description 2
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Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0221—Organic resins; Organic polymers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/14—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
- B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0223—Composites
- H01M8/0228—Composites in the form of layered or coated products
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0213—Gas-impermeable carbon-containing materials
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert. More particularly, it relates to an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert, in which a metal insert has a sandwich insert structure including a plurality of stacked plates, thereby securing strength and achieving a reduction in weight.
- a Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) is located at the innermost side of the unit cell of the fuel cell stack.
- the MEA includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 10 , through which protons pass, and catalytic electrode layers, i.e., a cathode 12 and an anode 14 , coated on opposite surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 10 such that hydrogen can react with oxygen.
- Gas Diffusion Layers (GDL) 16 and gaskets 18 are sequentially stacked outside the cathode 12 and the anode 14 .
- Separation plates 20 which include flow fields for supplying fuel and discharging water generated by the reaction, are located outside the GDLs 16 .
- end plates 30 for supplying and fixing each of the unit cells are assembled at the outermost sides of the fuel cell stack.
- a current collector plate for collecting electricity generated in the fuel cell stack and sending the collected electricity to the outside is mounted inside the end plates 30 .
- an oxidation reaction of hydrogen occurs in the anode 14 of the fuel cell stack, and protons and electrons are generated.
- the generated protons and electrons first flow to the cathode 12 through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 10 , and then to the separation plate 20 .
- water is generated in the cathode 12 through an electrochemical reaction of the protons and electrons from the anode 14 with oxygen in the air. Electric energy is then generated through flow of the electrons and is supplied to a load requiring electric energy through the current collector plate of the end plates 30 .
- the end plates 30 of the fuel cell stack which are located at opposite sides of the fuel cell stack, serve to fasten a plurality of stacked separation plates, MEAs, and GDLs, and further serve to provide a uniform surface pressure to each unit cell.
- the end plate 30 is formed from a metal insert 31 , a plastic injection molded body 32 , and a current collector plate 33 , which are integrally formed to provide reduced weight and electric insulation.
- the metal insert 31 is disposed inside an injection mold and then a plastic injection molding material is filled in the injection mold, so that the end plate 30 , including the metal insert 31 surrounded by the plastic injection molded body 32 , is thus formed.
- the current collector plate 33 can also be disposed inside the injection mold together with the metal insert 31 , and injection molded together with the plastic injection molded body 32 . Alternatively, the current collector plate 33 can at a later time be separately assembled inside the plastic injection molded body 32 .
- the metal insert 31 of the end plate must have a high strength to resist an inner surface pressure. Accordingly, the metal insert 31 is generally manufactured through machining of a metal material, and is also typically manufactured in a complicated shape that may enhance its ability to collect generated electricity of the fuel cell stack and to fasten the fuel cell stack.
- the metal insert of the end plate is manufactured in an integral shape, which results in a number of disadvantages.
- a recess or an uneven portion should not be generated on a resin surface after the injection molding of the end plates so as to prevent a fuel leak when the contact is secured with the gaskets.
- a thickness of the resin material of the plastic injection molded body is not uniform, a recess or an uneven portion is disadvantageously generated on the surface of the resin due to contraction of the resin.
- pocket processing is performed so as to apply the material reducing structure to the integral metal insert for reducing the weight, it is difficult to uniformly maintain the thickness of the injection molding material.
- the integral metal insert is manufactured through cutting a metal plate or a non-metal plate through machining, so it takes a long time to manufacture the single integral metal insert. This not only makes mass production difficult, but also makes it more challenging to reduce costs.
- the integral metal insert should be made of a single material, so there is a difficulty in utilizing different materials for reducing weight and improving strength.
- the present invention provides an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert, in which the sandwich insert is manufactured by staking two or more plates each having a specific shape.
- the sandwich insert is injection molded with a plastic injection molded body, thereby securing strength and, at the same time, providing a lightweight structure , in contrast with conventional integral metal inserts.
- the present invention provides an end plate for a fuel cell including: sandwich inserts having a sandwich structure in which two or more plates are bonded by a coupling means, wherein outer-surfaces of the sandwich inserts are surrounded by a plastic injection molding material.
- the sandwich insert includes: a first plate having first current collector plate coupling openings at a central portion thereof; a second plate having two or more first material-reducing spaces at a central portion thereof; a third plate having third current collector plate coupling openings at a central portion thereof; and a fourth plate having a second material-reducing space at a central portion thereof.
- anti-bending plates having second current colleting plate coupling openings are inserted into the first material-reducing spaces of the second plate so as to prevent the sandwich insert from being bent.
- the coupling means can be any conventional coupling means suitable for use in fuel cells.
- the coupling means is selected from a bonding means including a liquid or film type adhesive, and a mechanical coupling means including, for example, a bolt, a rivet, or an assembling pin.
- the sandwich insert is made of at least one material selected from a steel material, a nonmetallic material, a carbon-based material, and a composite material.
- the present invention provides the following effects.
- the insert of the end plate has a stacked structure of several plates, so it is possible to provide the various layers with desired characteristics to form an overall stacked structure that both obtains a desired strength and provides a lightweight insert.
- weight reduction can be further achieved by forming one or more material-reducing spaces in one or more of the plates.
- the several plates can be made of different materials (e.g., a light carbon-based material, and a material having an excellent strength such as steel) and are combined for use, thereby further improving both the weight reduction and strength of the insert.
- a separate anti-bending plate is further inserted into one or more material-reducing spaces of a plate, preferably the centrally stacked plate among the several stacked plates.
- the anti-bending plate can thus enhance the overall strength of the insert and can prevent the metal insert from being bent due to a resin pressure applied in the injection molding process, and at the same time can effectively improve bending strength by increasing the secondary moment of inertia of the sandwich insert.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sandwich insert of an end plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a method of bonding the sandwich insert of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled sandwich insert of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an injection molded end plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sandwich insert of an end plate for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional end plate
- FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a fuel cell stack.
- vehicle or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum).
- a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
- the present invention provides an end plate for a fuel cell that is both lightweight and strong.
- the present invention provides an end plate that includes a sandwich insert 100 , in which two or more plates are stacked and bonded by a coupling means 500 , and wherein the sandwich insert 100 is surrounded with a plastic injection molding material to form a plastic injection molded body 200 .
- the two or more plates forming the sandwich insert 100 are provided with manifold forming portions through which hydrogen, air, and cooling water flow at opposite ends thereof.
- the sandwich insert 100 is manufactured with a structure in which a first plate 110 , a second plate 210 , a third plate 310 , and a fourth plate 410 are sequentially stacked and bonded by the coupling means 500 .
- the sandwich insert 100 is not limited as such, but rather could be provided with any suitable number of plates and plate configurations other than the four plates depicted in the Figures.
- the first plate 110 is disposed at the innermost part of the sandwich insert 100 (on a side of the fuel cell stack) and has a rectangular plate structure.
- the first plate 110 is provided with a suitable thickness, for example thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t, through any suitable means, such as a conventional machining and pressing process.
- the first plate 110 has first manifold forming portions 111 formed at opposite ends thereof.
- the first plate 110 is provided with first current collector plate coupling openings 112 at a central portion thereof.
- the second plate 210 is stacked outside the first plate 110 and is manufactured with a rectangular plate structure.
- the second plate 210 is likewise provided with a suitable thickness, for example a thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t by any suitable means, such as a conventional machining and pressing process.
- the second plate 210 has second manifold forming portions 211 formed at opposite ends thereof.
- the second plate 210 is further provided with two or more first material-reducing spaces 212 at a central portion thereof. It is noted, however, that the number and placement of the first material-reducing spaces 212 is not limited to the depicted number and arrangement. Thus, for example, use of a single material-reducing space 212 could also be used in certain embodiments.
- the first material-reducing spaces 212 of the second plate 210 are spaces passing through the second plate 210 in a shape of a rectangular opening, which reduces the weight of the second plate 210 and contributes to the formation of a lightweight sandwich insert 100 .
- the third plate 310 is stacked outside the second plate 210 and, as shown in this embodiment, has the same shape and structure as that of the first plate 110 .
- the third plate 310 is manufactured with a rectangular plate structure with a suitable thickness (e.g. a thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t) by using any suitable means such as a conventional machining and pressing process.
- the third plate 310 has third manifold forming portions 311 formed at opposite ends thereof, and third current collector plate coupling openings 312 passing through the third plate 310 at a central portion thereof.
- the fourth plate 410 is stacked on and bonded to the third plate 310 and is located at the outermost side of the sandwich insert 100 .
- the fourth plate 410 is manufactured with a rectangular plate structure with a suitable thickness (e.g. a thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t) by any suitable means such as a conventional machining and pressing process. Similar to the second plate 210 , the fourth plate 410 has fourth manifold forming portions 411 formed at opposite ends thereof. As shown in this embodiment, the fourth plate 410 is further provided with a second material-reducing space 412 at a central portion thereof. As with the second plate 210 , that the number and placement of the second material-reducing space(s) 412 is not limited to the depicted number and arrangement.
- the first plate 110 and the third plate 310 have a structure having a substantially flat surface, except for the passing current collector plate coupling openings 112 and 312 .
- the first plate 110 and the third plate 310 are located on upper and lower sides of the second plate 210 which is provided with the first material-reducing spaces 212 for reducing weight, and to make the thicknesses of the materials of the entire metal insert and the end plate uniform.
- the coupling means 500 for bonding the first to fourth plates may be an adhesive applied between the first to fourth plates.
- the adhesive may use a bonding means, such as a liquid type or film type adhesive, capable of resisting a temperature of up to 150 degrees Celsius.
- the first to fourth plates may be stacked through fastening of the ends of the first to fourth plates with a mechanical coupling means, such as a fastening bolt, a fastening rivet, or an assembling pin.
- the first to fourth plates of the sandwich insert 100 may be formed of one or more suitable materials conventionally used in forming inserts.
- the first to fourth plates may be formed of a steel material, a nonmetallic material, and a carbon-based material.
- the first to fourth plates may be beneficially formed of different materials in order to further enhance the lightweightedness of the sandwich insert.
- only the first plate is made of steel and the remaining second to fourth plates are made of a light carbon-based material.
- Such a structure would make it is possible to further achieve a sandwich insert 100 that is lightweight while also maintaining strength.
- the end plate according to this embodiment of the present invention is substantially identical to the end plate according the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention in that the end plate includes the sandwich insert 100 in which two or more plates having manifold forming portions through which hydrogen, air, and cooling water flow at opposite ends thereof are bonded by the coupling means 500 , and the plastic injection molded body 200 is injection molded by surrounding the sandwich insert 100 with the plastic injection molding material.
- the end plate is further the same in that the sandwich insert 100 is manufactured with a structure in which the first plate 110 , the second plate 210 , the third plate 310 , and the fourth plate 410 are sequentially stacked and bonded by the coupling means 500 .
- the end plate according to this embodiment of the present invention has a feature in that an additional structure is added which is capable of preventing the sandwich insert 100 from being bent due to a resin pressure in the plastic injecting molding process.
- the first material-reducing spaces 212 of the second plate 210 are provided as two empty spaces passing through the second plate 210 for reducing weight.
- anti-bending plates 214 are inserted into the first material-reducing spaces 212 so as to prevent the sandwich insert 100 from being bent.
- These anti-bending plates 214 may suitably for formed of a very lightweight material so as to maintain the lightweightedness of the overall sandwich insert 100 .
- the anti-bending plate 214 is a rectangular plate having a second current collector plate coupling opening 213 , and is manufactured to have the same thickness as that of the second plate 210 so that the anti-bending plate 214 is inserted into the first material-reducing space 212 while forming the same plane with the second plate 210 (i.e., so as to not protrude beyond the surface of the second plate 210 when inserted through the first material-reducing spaces 212 .
- the anti-bending plate 214 is made of a plastic material or a light metal material for achieving a lightweight structure.
- the thus described sandwich insert 100 in which the first plate, the second plate 210 including the anti-bending plates 214 , and the third plate are stacked and bonded, is disposed inside the injection mold and a plastic injection molding resin is injected into the injection mold, even though a pressure of the injected resin is applied to one surface of the metal insert 100 , the overall strength of the metal insert 100 is reinforced by the anti-bending plate 21 . As such, the metal insert 100 is easily prevented from being bent due to the resin pressure.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0091151 filed Sep. 8, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- (a) Technical Field
- The present invention relates to an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert. More particularly, it relates to an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert, in which a metal insert has a sandwich insert structure including a plurality of stacked plates, thereby securing strength and achieving a reduction in weight.
- (b) Background Art
- Referring to
FIG. 7 , in a unit cell of a fuel cell stack mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, a Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) is located at the innermost side of the unit cell of the fuel cell stack. The MEA includes a solidpolymer electrolyte membrane 10, through which protons pass, and catalytic electrode layers, i.e., acathode 12 and ananode 14, coated on opposite surfaces of the solidpolymer electrolyte membrane 10 such that hydrogen can react with oxygen. - Gas Diffusion Layers (GDL) 16 and
gaskets 18 are sequentially stacked outside thecathode 12 and theanode 14.Separation plates 20, which include flow fields for supplying fuel and discharging water generated by the reaction, are located outside theGDLs 16. - After several hundreds of unit cells of the fuel cell stack are stacked,
end plates 30 for supplying and fixing each of the unit cells are assembled at the outermost sides of the fuel cell stack. - In this case, a current collector plate for collecting electricity generated in the fuel cell stack and sending the collected electricity to the outside is mounted inside the
end plates 30. - Accordingly, an oxidation reaction of hydrogen occurs in the
anode 14 of the fuel cell stack, and protons and electrons are generated. At this time, the generated protons and electrons first flow to thecathode 12 through the solidpolymer electrolyte membrane 10, and then to theseparation plate 20. As a result, water is generated in thecathode 12 through an electrochemical reaction of the protons and electrons from theanode 14 with oxygen in the air. Electric energy is then generated through flow of the electrons and is supplied to a load requiring electric energy through the current collector plate of theend plates 30. - The
end plates 30 of the fuel cell stack, which are located at opposite sides of the fuel cell stack, serve to fasten a plurality of stacked separation plates, MEAs, and GDLs, and further serve to provide a uniform surface pressure to each unit cell. - As can be seen in
FIG. 6 , theend plate 30 is formed from ametal insert 31, a plastic injection moldedbody 32, and acurrent collector plate 33, which are integrally formed to provide reduced weight and electric insulation. - In particular, the
metal insert 31 is disposed inside an injection mold and then a plastic injection molding material is filled in the injection mold, so that theend plate 30, including themetal insert 31 surrounded by the plastic injection moldedbody 32, is thus formed. - The
current collector plate 33 can also be disposed inside the injection mold together with themetal insert 31, and injection molded together with the plastic injection moldedbody 32. Alternatively, thecurrent collector plate 33 can at a later time be separately assembled inside the plastic injection moldedbody 32. - The metal insert 31 of the end plate must have a high strength to resist an inner surface pressure. Accordingly, the
metal insert 31 is generally manufactured through machining of a metal material, and is also typically manufactured in a complicated shape that may enhance its ability to collect generated electricity of the fuel cell stack and to fasten the fuel cell stack. - However, according to conventional methods, the metal insert of the end plate is manufactured in an integral shape, which results in a number of disadvantages.
- First, in machining a lightweight material reducing structure for the metal insert, it is difficult to injection mold the metal insert. In particular, a recess or an uneven portion should not be generated on a resin surface after the injection molding of the end plates so as to prevent a fuel leak when the contact is secured with the gaskets. However, in applying the material reducing structure to the metal insert, if a thickness of the resin material of the plastic injection molded body is not uniform, a recess or an uneven portion is disadvantageously generated on the surface of the resin due to contraction of the resin. In particular, if pocket processing is performed so as to apply the material reducing structure to the integral metal insert for reducing the weight, it is difficult to uniformly maintain the thickness of the injection molding material.
- Second, the integral metal insert is manufactured through cutting a metal plate or a non-metal plate through machining, so it takes a long time to manufacture the single integral metal insert. This not only makes mass production difficult, but also makes it more challenging to reduce costs.
- Third, the integral metal insert should be made of a single material, so there is a difficulty in utilizing different materials for reducing weight and improving strength.
- The present invention provides an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert, in which the sandwich insert is manufactured by staking two or more plates each having a specific shape. According to embodiments of the invention, the sandwich insert is injection molded with a plastic injection molded body, thereby securing strength and, at the same time, providing a lightweight structure , in contrast with conventional integral metal inserts.
- In one aspect, the present invention provides an end plate for a fuel cell including: sandwich inserts having a sandwich structure in which two or more plates are bonded by a coupling means, wherein outer-surfaces of the sandwich inserts are surrounded by a plastic injection molding material.
- In an exemplary embodiment, the sandwich insert includes: a first plate having first current collector plate coupling openings at a central portion thereof; a second plate having two or more first material-reducing spaces at a central portion thereof; a third plate having third current collector plate coupling openings at a central portion thereof; and a fourth plate having a second material-reducing space at a central portion thereof.
- In another exemplary embodiment, anti-bending plates having second current colleting plate coupling openings are inserted into the first material-reducing spaces of the second plate so as to prevent the sandwich insert from being bent.
- The coupling means can be any conventional coupling means suitable for use in fuel cells. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the coupling means is selected from a bonding means including a liquid or film type adhesive, and a mechanical coupling means including, for example, a bolt, a rivet, or an assembling pin.
- In yet another exemplary embodiment, the sandwich insert is made of at least one material selected from a steel material, a nonmetallic material, a carbon-based material, and a composite material.
- Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects.
- According to the present invention, the insert of the end plate has a stacked structure of several plates, so it is possible to provide the various layers with desired characteristics to form an overall stacked structure that both obtains a desired strength and provides a lightweight insert. According to some embodiments, weight reduction can be further achieved by forming one or more material-reducing spaces in one or more of the plates.
- Further, the several plates can be made of different materials (e.g., a light carbon-based material, and a material having an excellent strength such as steel) and are combined for use, thereby further improving both the weight reduction and strength of the insert.
- In some embodiments, a separate anti-bending plate is further inserted into one or more material-reducing spaces of a plate, preferably the centrally stacked plate among the several stacked plates. The anti-bending plate can thus enhance the overall strength of the insert and can prevent the metal insert from being bent due to a resin pressure applied in the injection molding process, and at the same time can effectively improve bending strength by increasing the secondary moment of inertia of the sandwich insert.
- The above and other features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are given herein below by way of illustration only, and thus are not imitative of the present invention, and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sandwich insert of an end plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a method of bonding the sandwich insert ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled sandwich insert ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an injection molded end plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a sandwich insert of an end plate for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional end plate; and -
FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a fuel cell stack. - Hereinafter reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
- It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
- The present invention provides an end plate for a fuel cell that is both lightweight and strong. In particular, the present invention provides an end plate that includes a
sandwich insert 100, in which two or more plates are stacked and bonded by a coupling means 500, and wherein thesandwich insert 100 is surrounded with a plastic injection molding material to form a plastic injection moldedbody 200. According to embodiments of the invention, the two or more plates forming thesandwich insert 100 are provided with manifold forming portions through which hydrogen, air, and cooling water flow at opposite ends thereof. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 4 , thesandwich insert 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is manufactured with a structure in which afirst plate 110, asecond plate 210, athird plate 310, and afourth plate 410 are sequentially stacked and bonded by the coupling means 500. Of course, thesandwich insert 100 is not limited as such, but rather could be provided with any suitable number of plates and plate configurations other than the four plates depicted in the Figures. - As shown, the
first plate 110 is disposed at the innermost part of the sandwich insert 100 (on a side of the fuel cell stack) and has a rectangular plate structure. Thefirst plate 110 is provided with a suitable thickness, for example thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t, through any suitable means, such as a conventional machining and pressing process. Thefirst plate 110 has firstmanifold forming portions 111 formed at opposite ends thereof. As further show, thefirst plate 110 is provided with first current collectorplate coupling openings 112 at a central portion thereof. - The
second plate 210 is stacked outside thefirst plate 110 and is manufactured with a rectangular plate structure. Thesecond plate 210 is likewise provided with a suitable thickness, for example a thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t by any suitable means, such as a conventional machining and pressing process. Thesecond plate 210 has secondmanifold forming portions 211 formed at opposite ends thereof. As further shown in this embodiment, thesecond plate 210 is further provided with two or more first material-reducingspaces 212 at a central portion thereof. It is noted, however, that the number and placement of the first material-reducingspaces 212 is not limited to the depicted number and arrangement. Thus, for example, use of a single material-reducingspace 212 could also be used in certain embodiments. - In this embodiment, the first material-reducing
spaces 212 of thesecond plate 210 are spaces passing through thesecond plate 210 in a shape of a rectangular opening, which reduces the weight of thesecond plate 210 and contributes to the formation of alightweight sandwich insert 100. - The
third plate 310 is stacked outside thesecond plate 210 and, as shown in this embodiment, has the same shape and structure as that of thefirst plate 110. - In particular, the
third plate 310 is manufactured with a rectangular plate structure with a suitable thickness (e.g. a thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t) by using any suitable means such as a conventional machining and pressing process. As shown, thethird plate 310 has thirdmanifold forming portions 311 formed at opposite ends thereof, and third current collectorplate coupling openings 312 passing through thethird plate 310 at a central portion thereof. - As further shown, the
fourth plate 410 is stacked on and bonded to thethird plate 310 and is located at the outermost side of thesandwich insert 100. Thefourth plate 410 is manufactured with a rectangular plate structure with a suitable thickness (e.g. a thickness of approximately 4 to 5 t) by any suitable means such as a conventional machining and pressing process. Similar to thesecond plate 210, thefourth plate 410 has fourthmanifold forming portions 411 formed at opposite ends thereof. As shown in this embodiment, thefourth plate 410 is further provided with a second material-reducingspace 412 at a central portion thereof. As with thesecond plate 210, that the number and placement of the second material-reducing space(s) 412 is not limited to the depicted number and arrangement. - As set forth in the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1 , thefirst plate 110 and thethird plate 310 have a structure having a substantially flat surface, except for the passing current collectorplate coupling openings first plate 110 and thethird plate 310 are located on upper and lower sides of thesecond plate 210 which is provided with the first material-reducingspaces 212 for reducing weight, and to make the thicknesses of the materials of the entire metal insert and the end plate uniform. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the coupling means 500 for bonding the first to fourth plates may be an adhesive applied between the first to fourth plates. In some embodiments, the adhesive may use a bonding means, such as a liquid type or film type adhesive, capable of resisting a temperature of up to 150 degrees Celsius. According to an alternative embodiment, the first to fourth plates may be stacked through fastening of the ends of the first to fourth plates with a mechanical coupling means, such as a fastening bolt, a fastening rivet, or an assembling pin. - According to the present invention, the first to fourth plates of the
sandwich insert 100 may be formed of one or more suitable materials conventionally used in forming inserts. For example, the first to fourth plates may be formed of a steel material, a nonmetallic material, and a carbon-based material. Further, the first to fourth plates may be beneficially formed of different materials in order to further enhance the lightweightedness of the sandwich insert. - For example, according to one embodiment, only the first plate is made of steel and the remaining second to fourth plates are made of a light carbon-based material. Such a structure would make it is possible to further achieve a
sandwich insert 100 that is lightweight while also maintaining strength. - Hereinafter, an end plate according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- The end plate according to this embodiment of the present invention is substantially identical to the end plate according the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention in that the end plate includes the
sandwich insert 100 in which two or more plates having manifold forming portions through which hydrogen, air, and cooling water flow at opposite ends thereof are bonded by the coupling means 500, and the plastic injection moldedbody 200 is injection molded by surrounding thesandwich insert 100 with the plastic injection molding material. The end plate is further the same in that thesandwich insert 100 is manufactured with a structure in which thefirst plate 110, thesecond plate 210, thethird plate 310, and thefourth plate 410 are sequentially stacked and bonded by the coupling means 500. However, the end plate according to this embodiment of the present invention has a feature in that an additional structure is added which is capable of preventing thesandwich insert 100 from being bent due to a resin pressure in the plastic injecting molding process. - In particular, as illustrated in
FIG. 5 , the first material-reducingspaces 212 of thesecond plate 210 are provided as two empty spaces passing through thesecond plate 210 for reducing weight. However, as shown,anti-bending plates 214 are inserted into the first material-reducingspaces 212 so as to prevent thesandwich insert 100 from being bent. Theseanti-bending plates 214 may suitably for formed of a very lightweight material so as to maintain the lightweightedness of theoverall sandwich insert 100. - In particular, as shown in
FIG. 5 theanti-bending plate 214 is a rectangular plate having a second current collectorplate coupling opening 213, and is manufactured to have the same thickness as that of thesecond plate 210 so that theanti-bending plate 214 is inserted into the first material-reducingspace 212 while forming the same plane with the second plate 210 (i.e., so as to not protrude beyond the surface of thesecond plate 210 when inserted through the first material-reducingspaces 212. According to various embodiments, theanti-bending plate 214 is made of a plastic material or a light metal material for achieving a lightweight structure. - Therefore, when the thus described
sandwich insert 100, in which the first plate, thesecond plate 210 including theanti-bending plates 214, and the third plate are stacked and bonded, is disposed inside the injection mold and a plastic injection molding resin is injected into the injection mold, even though a pressure of the injected resin is applied to one surface of themetal insert 100, the overall strength of themetal insert 100 is reinforced by the anti-bending plate 21. As such, themetal insert 100 is easily prevented from being bent due to the resin pressure. - Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
- The contents of all references (including literature references, issued patents, published patent applications, and co-pending patent applications) cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
Claims (8)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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KR1020110091151A KR101315739B1 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-09-08 | End plate for fuel cell having sandwich insert |
KR10-2011-0091151 | 2011-09-08 |
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US20130065157A1 true US20130065157A1 (en) | 2013-03-14 |
US9172096B2 US9172096B2 (en) | 2015-10-27 |
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US13/312,543 Active 2034-08-26 US9172096B2 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-12-06 | End plate for fuel cell including sandwich insert |
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US (1) | US9172096B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5865685B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101315739B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103000920B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102011088105B4 (en) |
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US20170200968A1 (en) * | 2016-01-12 | 2017-07-13 | Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha | Integrated metal-and-plastic molded article and method for manufacturing integrated metal-and-plastic molded article |
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KR101337961B1 (en) | 2012-05-07 | 2013-12-09 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Manifold block for fuel cell stack |
JP6008202B2 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2016-10-19 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Fuel cell stack |
KR102176578B1 (en) | 2013-10-01 | 2020-11-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Fuel cell stack including end plate having insertion hole |
KR101534991B1 (en) * | 2013-12-31 | 2015-07-07 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Method for manufacturing end plate for fuel cell stack |
KR102261535B1 (en) * | 2015-09-25 | 2021-06-04 | 현대자동차주식회사 | End cell heater for fuel cell and fuel cell having the same |
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KR102286840B1 (en) * | 2017-01-26 | 2021-08-05 | 현대자동차주식회사 | End cell heater for fuel cell and fuel cell having the same |
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KR102359588B1 (en) * | 2021-01-05 | 2022-02-09 | 현대자동차주식회사 | End plate and fuel cell stack comprising the same |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US9172096B2 (en) | 2015-10-27 |
JP5865685B2 (en) | 2016-02-17 |
CN103000920A (en) | 2013-03-27 |
DE102011088105A1 (en) | 2013-03-14 |
KR101315739B1 (en) | 2013-10-10 |
JP2013058464A (en) | 2013-03-28 |
CN103000920B (en) | 2017-03-01 |
DE102011088105B4 (en) | 2023-10-05 |
KR20130027743A (en) | 2013-03-18 |
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